General

Program Description

Program Description

The Master of Science degree (M.S.) in human development and family science is a 30-credit degree program that aims to promote an understanding of human development across the lifespan. With an emphasis on the importance of social-cultural context, students gain broad knowledge of the study of childhood and family systems across various cultural and societal contexts.

All M.S. students must complete the core course and elective course requirements. Courses and training emphasize multicultural perspectives in child and family relationships and diverse research methodologies and scholarship. Elective coursework may be selected from additional CFS courses and other University departments such as anthropology, psychology, education, sociology, gerontology, social science, nutrition, special education, or women’s studies.

In addition to course work, the M.S. degree requires the completion of a master’s thesis (see graduate manual for details). M.S. programs prepare students to pursue careers in research, health services, and community agencies. Students may further their educational goals by applying to enroll in the doctoral program in the department. All students must file a tentative program of study in their second semester. Students transferring courses from another institution must file a program of study prior to completing 12 credits at Syracuse University.

Admissions

Students seeking admission to the Department of Human Development and Family Science must meet the general admissions requirements of the Graduate School. Although no single factor determines entry to the program, competitive applicants typically have a minimum of: 1) GPA of 3.00 or higher (undergraduate and/or graduate work); 2) GRE scores of 144 Quantitative, 153 Verbal (please note, the GRE exam must be taken within the last five years). For international students whose primary language is not English, TOEFL scores of 577 (paper test) or 100 for the internet based (IBT) test are desirable.

Part-time Study

Students may pursue their graduate degree on a full or part-time basis. Students must enroll in a minimum of nine credit hours for full-time status. Students enrolled in six credit hours or less are considered part-time.

Financial Support

Limited department financial aid is available in the form of graduate assistantships and scholarship credits for students enrolled in masters and doctoral programs. Financial aid is determined based on merit.

Additional information regarding graduate financial aid can be found at https://graduateadmissions.syr.edu/funding/

About the School

Falk College brings together Syracuse University’s professional programs in Human Development and Family Science, Food Studies, Marriage & Family Therapy, Public Health, Nutrition Science & Di
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Falk College brings together Syracuse University’s professional programs in Human Development and Family Science, Food Studies, Marriage &amp; Family Therapy, Public Health, Nutrition Science &amp; Dietetics, Social Work, and Sport Management in an environment of cross-disciplinary teaching, research, practice, and service.
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